planning my sump. Return pump in middle or on the side???? everyone's thoughts?

[jordancemery65]

So I am in the planning stages of my sump, and I am completely torn on whether to have the return pump on the end or in the middle... I have seen a lot of both ways. I am definately going to have a fuge and skimmer in the sump. The skimmer i purchased has an optimal run depth of 5.5" and all of the other compartments would have to be less than that for things to flow right... So that is why i am sort of leaning towards having the return in the middle. What are everyones thoughts...

[Speed]

The skimmer i purchased has an optimal run depth of 5.5" and all of the other compartments would have to be less than that for things to flow right...


thats not accurate. you can make the other compartments any height you want
including the skimmer compartment. you simply put a stand under the skimmer to achieve the optimum 5.5" height.

check out Melevs sump page. it will answer a lot of your questions and steer you in the right direction.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[jordancemery65]

However, i dont have much height in my stand, so if i put something under the skimmer it will in turn raise it and i won't have enough room :(

[Twistofer]

Can you get a taller stand?

I've done both, pump in the middle and pump on the end. My preference is the pump on the end. For me, the water had a better flow pattern and maximized my flow rate in the end. It also seemed to eliminate a lot of redundant plumbing. No real scientific data to show that, just anecdotal experiences.

[SC Reefaholic]

Return in the center. Branch off of your return to feed your refugium. You want the water flowing through your refugium moving slower than the water running through your sump. And you can have the water level at any height you want in any section. See pics. Water is 10 inches in refugium, 8 inches in Skimmer section and 6 inches in return section.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4396&pictureid=31813

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=4769&pictureid=38027

[Wills612]

I like the return on the end so I only have to use one bubble trap.

[Henchman24]

When it comes to having the return pump in the end or in the middle to me the major difference is water flow.

most commonly done that I have seen is having the return pump on one end of the sump & the drains from the display tank on the other. This makes an even water flow through all sections of the sump. water comes in one end flow back in the other side.
http://www.reefworkshop.com/images/onelevelsump800.PNG
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj238/btownproductions/Sump.jpg

When you have the return pump in the middle usually that is so you can have different flow rates in both end sections of the sump. normally the refugium would be on one end & the flow rate entering that section would be slowed down by a ball valve. You need to have water entering both ends of the sump so water flows toward the return section in the middle.
http://www.ducatipartsblowout.com/misc/240g/sump/sump30.jpg
http://www.thereeftank.com/gallery/files/4/3/7/5/6/sump_design_2.jpg

The setup I have is unusual as the return pump is on one end, the water coming from the main tank is in the center, & my refugium is on the other end. I had to add a small pump to move water into the refugium section. I did mine this way to lower the amount of baffles I needed. If the return is in the center you should have triple baffles on either side for air traps ideally.
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l237/william2569/40%20Gallon%20Saltwater/3-13-2013SumpSetup_zps58a56bb2.jpg